NASCAR: 10 drivers who won’t be back with their 2020 teams
By Asher Fair
Drivers moving on after 2020: Matt Kenseth
Yes, Matt Kenseth is probably actually retiring this time.
Kenseth was called upon to replace Kyle Larson at Chip Ganassi Racing behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet after Larson was fired during the 10-week hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic when several sponsors cut ties with him over his use of a racial slur.
Kenseth had not competed in the Cup Series since 2018 when he drove part-time for Roush Fenway Racing. In fact, the 2019 season was his first season without competing in the series in any capacity since he made his debut in 1998, and it was his first season without competing in any NASCAR series since he made his Xfinity Series debut in 1996.
The 2020 season marked his first full-time ride since 2017, when he was in his fifth and final season competing for Joe Gibbs Racing before Erik Jones replaced him behind the wheel of the #20 Toyota.
But Kenseth was clearly never a long-term option for Chip Ganassi Racing, and they announced that Ross Chastain is set to drive the #42 Chevrolet in 2021. Kenseth has announced that he believes his days of full-time NASCAR competition are behind him, although once again, his third departure from the sport in the last three years has not officially been classified as a “retirement” — yet.